The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson “devastated everyone who knew and loved him,” a spokesperson for the health insurance company said in a statement today following Luigi Mangione’s guilty plea.
“We are grateful to law enforcement for bringing Brian’s murderer to justice, and our thoughts remain with Brian’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the spokesperson added.
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Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges
3:29 • Source: CNN
Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges
3:29
The widow of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and other family members were visibly emotional in court as Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty today.
Thompson’s widow “was breathing heavily, clasping the arm of the woman sitting next to her,” CNN’s Kara Scannell reports. “You could see the family members fighting back tears, holding on to each other’s hands.”
Family members also had visible reactions when the judge asked prosecutors whether Thompson “was aware what was happening” in the time between the first and second bullet hitting him. The prosecutor responded that he was.
“That caused some gasps from the family members that were sitting in the front row, the pain of this experience quite visible to them,” Scannell said.
New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said today “is an important moment of accountability” in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
“My thoughts remain first and foremost with Mr. Thompson’s family and everyone who knew and loved him,” she said.
Tisch also commended the “extraordinary police work that brought us here.”
She also sent a message “to those who idolize Luigi Mangione.”
Luigi Mangione has accepted “full responsibility for the death of Brian Thompson” with his guilty plea, Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said.
“Today is a solemn and significant day. With today’s guilty plea, Mr. Mangione has accepted full responsibility for the death of Brian Thompson arising from the events of December 4, 2024, outside of the UnitedHealthcare investor conference here in Midtown Manhattan. It was a single, tragic event. Yet he’s being prosecuted twice for the same conduct,” she said.
“As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe, debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems. Like the thousands of people who have reached out since this tragedy to share their own experiences, he believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life,” she said at today’s news conference after Mangione’s hearing concluded.
When addressing his actions in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione spoke so fast that the judge asked him to slow down.
Mangione used few words to admit what he had done.
“I shot Mr. Thompson and he died,” he said. “I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
Prosecutors reviewed some of the evidence they have against Luigi Mangione, which is a routine practice for a hearing of this kind.
Federal prosecutor Dominic A. Gentile said prosecutors have security footage showing Mangione arriving in New York on a bus on November 24, 2024, and following UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson around Midtown Manhattan on the days leading up to the shooting on December 4.
Footage also showed Thompson “get shot, turn around, and face the defendant as he got shot a second time,” Gentile said.
Luigi Mangione is now speaking in court.
He said that “after years of enduring pain from a broken back” and witnessing similar experiences of others, he said he learned UnitedHealthcare would be holding it’s annual investor convergence in December 2024.
Mangione said the public location wasn’t posted but he researched to learn the location and who would be there.
Judge Margaret Garnett asked for confirmation that there is no plea agreement with the government.
Luigi Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Freidman Agnifilo, said, “that is correct.”
This means they have not agreed on a sentencing range for Mangione.
Garnett asked Mangione if anyone offered him any promises or threatened him to plead guilty. He confirmed “no.”
Judge Margaret Garnett is explaining to Luigi Mangione that he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The judge tells Mangione that there is no parole in the federal system, and while there is credit for good behavior, he should expect to serve at least 85% of the sentence he receives.
The sentence could be followed by up to five years of supervised release on each count, and a maximum fine of $250 for each count, Garnett said, and she could also order restitution.
She asks if he understands that he could face a total sentence of life in prison.
Mangione confirmed, “yes.”
Garnett also referenced the pending state case, saying if Mangione is convicted and sentenced in that case, his sentences could run consecutively. Mangione confirmed he understood that as well.
Garnett said prosecutors believe the sentencing guidelines are 292-365 months of imprisonment. She stressed this was not binding on her, but she will determine the range she believes is appropriate.
Prosecutor Dominic Gentile is now stating the elements of the charges against Luigi Mangione that prosecution would have to prove if the case went to trial.
Mangione has turned to face Gentile as he speaks.
Gentile said one of the elements for the charges is that “the defendant’s conduct resulted in Brian Thompson’s death.”
Judge Margaret Garnett is now reading Luigi Mangione his rights.
Mangione confirmed he had the opportunity to confer with his lawyers about the consequences of pleading guilty and he is satisfied with his lawyers’ representation.
As Garnett is explaining his rights, she is repeatedly asking Mangione if he understands. Mangione repeatedly confirmed, saying “yes.”
Garnett asked Mangione if he understands he’ll be giving up his right not to incriminate himself by pleading guilty.
“You will have to admit and acknowledge your guilt, do you understand that?” she asked.
He answered, “yes.”
Judge Margaret Garnett began by asking Luigi Mangione a series of questions.
Before questioning him, Garnett warned he could be prosecuted for perjury if he answers any questions about his decision to plead guilty falsely. This is routine.
She asked his name, he said: “Luigi Nicholas Mangione.”
He stated he is 28 years old.
When asked how far he went in school, Mangione said he got a Master’s degree in computer science at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mangione said he has never been treated or hospitalized for any mental illness or addiction. He said he took trazodone two days ago for sleep, but said it was not affecting his ability to follow the proceedings.
When the judge asked if he believed his mind was clear today, he said, “I do.”
Judge Margaret Garnett said that based on Luigi Mangione’s current demeanor and answers in court so far, she finds that he is in a state to enter of plea of guilty at this time.
Moments ago in court, Mangione said he has never been treated or hospitalized for any mental illness or addiction.
He said he took trazodone two days ago for sleep, but said it was not affecting his ability to follow the proceedings.
When the judge asked if he believed his mind was clear today, he said, “I do”
